Russia 2018 Asian Qualifiers: Iran vs. China [PREVIEW]

AFC – TEHRAN, Group A leaders Islamic Republic of Iran will move a step closer to the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 should they see off China at Azadi Stadium on Tuesday.

Mehdi Taremi scored the only goal of the game as unbeaten Iran secured a 1-0 win over Qatar in Doha on Thursday to open up a four-point lead over second-placed Korea Republic. A second win on the bounce would leave Carlos Queiroz’s men within touching distance of automatic qualification.

China, though, kept their FIFA World Cup dream alive as Yu Dabao’s solitary goal claimed a shocking 1-0 victory against Korea Republic to give Marcelo Lippi’s team their first victory in Group A. Four points shy of third-placed Uzbekistan with four games to play, China need more wins on the board if they are to mount a realistic World Cup push.